Replacement for TVonics DTR-Z500HD ?

funkey_monkey

An elderly relative has a TVonics DTR-Z500HD that has given up the ghost and I need to get her a replacement.

It is used to take in a terrestrial feed for Freeview (NI) and provide recording ability for those channels. She also has a Ferguson Arriva 250 box which provides Saorsat but no recording ability - did it need an external HDD to record?

What I can I get to replace the TVonics box? If I could get some sort of Combo box that would accept the Saorsat & Freeview and permit recording from both streams would be a bonus.

It is a must that whatever it is can be relatively easily controlled by an elderly person - so I'm not sure if the simplest thing is to just get her a new terrestrial box and forget about recording Saorsat - as I would probably need a combo box with OpenVix or something like that installed.

Any of the latter Ferguson boxes suitable?

WiFi connection would be needed to receive updates.

Thoughts?

Would the Ferguson Ariva 255 be suitable? DVB/T2 capable so one can pick up Freeview HD. Generic box though so you would probably have to reorder the channels once stored. External drive also needed to record.

https://www.freetv.ie/ferguson-ariva-255/

funkey_monkey

I was looking at their Ariva ATV Combo UHD HDR.

Do all their boxes need an external drive?

muffler

If its any help I have a Manhattan Freeview recording box that I have no problem in recommending. Great yoke but just to advise that you cant series link on the Saorview channels. While I havent looked at it in great detail I dont think the channel list can be changed / organised so you're looking at having the Irish channels up in the 800's. Other than that Im happy with it.

greasepalm

Is she living in some strange place as you mention Saorsat from a sat signal for Irish programs.

That Tvonics box i notice has an external power source and wondered if you tried another?

If the Ferguson box has 2 feeds you can view on one tuner and record on 2nd one with an externally powered hdd.

If box has only 1 feed recording channel takes control over your viewing one

funkey_monkey

Up north behind a mountain so can only get it that way.

Do ferguson not have an internal bay for hdd? Would prefer one with an internal bay as I could switch the hdd between them.

greasepalm

You would have to check specs to see as space can be limited and wiring is there for a connection.

AX HD61 4K UHD Twin Satellite Tuner 2x DVB-S2X also can come as a combo unit and can have an internal hdd fitted.

funkey_monkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120586657#Comment_120586657

That link has gone! Unavailable on Amazon too. :(

Just realised that an ethernet connection for updates would be difficult so a WiFi connection would be better.

• Combo unit
• Suitable for Saorsat
• Suitable for UK Freeview
• Internal HDD
• WiFi capable
• Simple interface

greasepalm

Just rechecked that link and still showing on WOS but obviously no stock left.

funkey_monkey

Still looking for a replacement box. Any recommendations?

Antenna

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122894881#Comment_122894881

did you try another 12VDC powersupply (with sufficient current available) with your existing box? That question was asked already.

Even if you or someone measures the output voltage on a multimeter of the existing powersupply (whilst plugged out from the receiver) and it shows 12V, it doesn't mean it must be OK, it could be collapsing under load (some go bad this way ).

funkey_monkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122898182#Comment_122898182

The box is remaining powered, what is happening is that the image on screen is freezing.

The setup is that the antenna for terrestrial is fed into the DTR-Z500HD antenna input. There is then a HDMI output from the box to the TV. This allows her to view and record UK Freeview (note: she is located in Northern Ireland).

In order to watch RTE, she is too far north to pick up Saorview, so like majority of people here who do not have Sky, she gets Saorsat. This is provided via a Ferguson Arriva 250. This allows here to view and record Irish television.

The HDMI output from the Arriva 250 is input into HDMI 1 of the DTR-Z500HD. This allows her to switch between both providers using the DTR-Z500HD remote control.

In another room, she having viewing ability only via a LG TV internal tuner for UK Freeview and another Ferguson Arriva 250 for Saorsat.

The problem is that whilst watching TV via the DTR-Z500HD, for both UK Freeview and Saorsat there are occasional screen freezes and loss of signal. Signal strength and clarity in the other room appears to be fine. So, I'm ruling out a signal issue and pointing the finger at the setup. As both Saorsat and UK Freeview are affected, I'm pointing the finger at the DTR-Z500HD. I'm ruling out the TV too.

There was a considerable period of time where the boxes were stacked on top of each other (DTR-Z500HD on the bottom), so I would not rule out an overheating induced problem.

Would the power supply still likely be at fault in this scenario? Any advice would be greatly appreciated as I really don't want an elderly relative who lives alone to be without a stable TV connection.

funkey_monkey

So, I need to get a replacement box.

Can anyone recommend a suitable product? Ideally something that reflects both, internal hard drive and supports both epgs.

Thanks.

dermo2014

You could try to connect the hdmi from Arriva 250 directly to the tv, not through the DTR, to see if that is causing the issue. This means having to use the 2 remotes more often unfortunately.

You could also try swapping the 2 Arriva 250s - the box, power supply and hdmi cable, to see if that box is causing the issue.

With regards to a replacement recording box, the Zgemma H7S seems to be very popular, I wonder has anyone here used it to receive Soarsat !

funkey_monkey

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/122911334#Comment_122911334

Would the Arriva 250 be likely to be causing the fault when Freeview is also dropping out?

I'd like to know too if anyone has received Saorsat using the H7S. What is the remote like with it? I've got a Mutant HD51 and its remote is shockingly bad.

funkey_monkey

How would an EPG look for this setup on the H7S?

funkey_monkey

Would either of these work for me:

Ferguson™ Ariva 255 Combo S Receiver | Buy Online in Ireland

Amiko™ Triple Tuner Boxes Available Online at Ireland's Best Prices

They appear to have EPG's for Saorview and UK Freesat - would they transfer easily to Saorsat and UK Freeview?

decor58

I see on that Amiko Triple tuner it says it has 7day UK epg, it is using a service called " SimpleFree tv". Has anyone used it and does it work, they have an online site, it's available on the Amiko through Freetv.ie and others I presume.

dermo2014

First I've heard of "SimpleFree tv" to get 7 day EPG !

decor58

LIkewise I hadn't heard of it before.

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greasepalm

Do i read box is for UK only ?

funkey_monkey

Anyone got any ideas for my issue - either a direct replacement for the TVONICS DTR-Z500HD or a combo unit which can accommodate both Saorsat and UK Freeview.

decor58

Any of the Vestel brands, Walker, Nordmende, Toshiba, has terrestrial, Freeview, and Satellite, Saorsat, in this case, all on one screen. LG have a similar arrangement, you just change source, a case of pressing 1 or 2 when set up, fairly straightforward. You can record to a HDD, only issue being you can't record one and watch another, Saorsat v Freeview but you can get round this in some cases by using the various players. All can be done from one remote control.